flaco
The Terminator
It seems to happen overnight, but it really takes place over months or years: the PC that once fired up instantly, ready for work, now takes minutes to get going. Or perhaps it even freezes during a startup or while you work, or programs timeout or crash in the middle of a major project.
Time for a new computer? No, you just have a case of TMC—too much..."stuff" on your hard drive, slowing it down.
There are several simple ways to kick your Windows XP*-based computer back into high gear. Here are eight ways to help speed up that hard drive. These take from a few minutes to a few hours, and in many cases your machine is already to set to perform these tasks at a mere command. Others require a little bit of work on your part. All of them will increase your PC's oomph factor and get you back on the fast track at work.
Requesting stycky please
Tip 1: Free up Disk Space
The biggest reason for computer sluggishness is loss of hard drive space, which gets eaten up by your regular work files—such as Microsoft Word* and PowerPoint* documents, photo and video images, or PDFs; your PC's operating system and various software programs; and a huge slew of temporary files, backups, spy ware and other junk that comes with everyday use of your machine. Regular use of the PC's disk cleanup function can rid your machine of this latter group of space-eaters. To use Disk Cleanup:
* Click Start, then point to All Programs » System Tools » Disk Cleanup. Or go directly to My Computer, right click on C: Drive (or whatever your main drive is named), select Properties and Disk Cleanup.
* The Disk Cleanup tool will take a few moments to calculate all the places where files can be removed and how much disk space will be saved. Check boxes for areas you wish to empty, then click OK (see Figure 1). NOTE: It is STRONGLY recommended that you not remove the Office Setup Files, which contain data for quick reinstallation of your programs if a repair, reinstallation or patch is needed.
* After a few minutes, the tool will finish and you may close the program.
Tip 2: Defragment the Hard Drive
Defragment the Hard Drive
Figure 2: The Disk Defragmenter recomposes files that may be spread all over your PC's hard drive.
Another easy-to-do but even easier to forget service. Over time, your files become fragmented and spread out over your hard drive, which means the PC must search the hard disk to piece them back together before they can be used again. This slows down the machine's response time. Windows has a Disk Defragmenter tool that should be used periodically (at least once a month) to keep things running smoothly. To use the Defragmenter tool:
* Close all open applications.
* Access the C: drive » Properties menu as you would under "Free up disk space," above.
* Select the Tools tab and the Defragment Now... button. If necessary, select a hard drive to test. The Defragmenter tool will begin to analyze whether the drive should be defragmented (see Figure 2).
* If the answer is yes, click Defragment. The process can take several hours, depending on the size of your hard drive and length of time since your last defragmentation. If you defrag more often, the process takes less time.
* When done, close the program and then reopen any applications you need.
* Disk defragmentation is also recommended if you are down to less than 15 percent of your total hard drive space; if you've recently added a large number of files; or after you've installed new programs such as Windows or Microsoft Office*.
Tip 3: Detect and Repair Disk Errors
Detect and Repair Disk Errors
Figure 3: Windows' disk error-checking tool can eliminate bad sectors of your hard drive and also find missing files.
The third part of our "D" list is the disk error-checking tool, which can eliminate bad sectors of your hard drive and also find missing files. This tool is accessed in the same manner as the Defragmenter and should typically be set at the same time you plan to defragment. Remember to close all open files before you start:
* From the Tools tab, select the Error-Checking function. If you have more than one hard drive, select the disk you wish to check.
* Check the disk options (usually both) and hit start (see Figure 3).
* If you checked the C: drive, you'll get a message stating that the command cannot be carried out until the machine restarts. Hit "yes."
* The next time the PC is started up, it will go into disk check and repair mode. This could take an hour or more, depending on your hard drive size.
Tip 4: Dump the Extras
You may have software on your machine that was installed with the operating system that you never use, other programs that once were important but are obsolete now, even different editions of the same program. Go into your Control Panel » Add or Remove Programs function, scroll the list for stuff you no longer need and get rid of it. You can also try third-party software removal programs to eliminate these space-wasters and also "scrub" your hard disk clean. Ditto for spy ware and adware removing programs.
Tip 5: Slim-down the Start-up Items
Windows launches certain programs every time you boot up the system, not all of which are needed. These programs jockey for a slice of your computer's CPU and can increase your startup time by several minutes. Typical no-needs on home PC systems include things related to AOL*, RealPlayer* and Napster*.
Tip 6: Drop the Fancy Stuff
Drop the Fancy Stuff
Figure 4: Windows XP* has numerous speed-eating but cosmetic extras, such as "Allow Indexing," that can be turned off to save CPU space.
Windows has numerous speed-killing special items that are helpful but can also be done without. These include:
* "Allow Indexing," which makes your computer spend tons of CPU speed arranging files to display in searches faster. To disable, go to My Computer, right-click your hard drive and click on Properties, uncheck Allow Indexing and hit ignore if a prompt comes up (see Figure 4). Click apply, then OK.
* Fancy Windows XP effects, which are cosmetic only. To get rid of these, go to My Computer » Properties » Advanced and click on the Settings button in the Performance box. Uncheck:
o Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
o Fade or slide menus into view
o Fade or slide ToolTips into view
o Fade out menu items after clicking
o Slide open combo boxes
o Slide taskbar buttons
* Click Apply, then OK.
Tip 7: Keep your drivers updated
Using the latest drivers for your hardware can give your PC a nice boost in perform. IT has a new program called Keep It Current which will automatically keep your machine current. (For more information on this program, see the Digital Edge story: Latest client build pushed to all Intel PCs every 10 weeks) For home PC's, check with your hardware vendors for the latest in sound cards, video cards, hard drives and networking equipment.
Tip 8: For home PCs, start over by reformatting your hard drive
A last-ditch, almost desperation effort here, but some computer experts do recommend this be done periodically—every one to two years—to completely remove all dead links, invisible backups, spy ware and other junk cluttering up the drive. You'll have to copy all of your data onto CDs, DVDs or external hard drives, unless you really don't want any of it anymore. Then you have two choices:
* Reformat only the C: drive, which reformats that drive only. If your machine has a partitioned drive—meaning part of it was turned into a secondary one during the last system install, and assigned a separate letter such as "D" for its name—the files on that drive will not be affected.
* Completely reformat all drives, which will wipe everything clean and returns your system to its factory-installed state.
To reformat, you'll need to use a bootable disk, which should have been created when the machine was first activated upon purchase. Or, you might have one or more installation CDs. In either case, install the first disk and restart the machine, then follow the various instructions. Or you can take the machine to a computer specialist and they will do it for you.
Be prepared to spend about at least a day's worth of time, as reformatting the drive takes an hour or so (depending on size), and then you'll have to reinstall (and re-register) any non-native programs or upgrades—and all your other data—that you added after you bought the computer. But when you're finished, your PC will literally be as good as new.
UPDATE.UPDATE.
What is the Windows Registry?
The Windows Registry is a giant database in the Windows operating system. The database stores all the information related to your hardware, preferences, and software applications.
When you first purchase your computer, the registry will be uncluttered and you'll notice that it runs at lightening fast speed. This is because your registry is smaller and has far few errors than an older computer. With less clutter, your computer can search through the registry database much faster. However, with use over time, the windows registry will fill. As it fills, unnecessary registry entries will clutter it.
Registry Cleaners
Remove Unwanted Programs and Clean Registry
When you install or uninstall software programs, drivers, or even create and delete files, your registry will start to grow. When you delete a software program, it is often not entirely deleted. Remnants of it are usually still installed on your computer. Leaving these remnants can cause problems later on down the road.
The more you use your computer, the more build up you're going to get in your registry.
Obviously, you need to use your computer, so there really is no way around this.
What you can do is fix the Windows registry errors. Please note that you should never start deleting registry errors on your own. Instead, you should invest in inexpensive Windows registry cleaner software and run it periodically.
Most of this registry cleaner software comes with a back up feature. That means you can back up the windows registry before the cleaner deletes anything. In the event something important is deleted, you will have a back up of your registry. Safely clean and repair your windows registry with registry cleaner software.
Repair and Clean Windows Registry
Windows registry cleaner software will scan and clean up your registry. Registry scanners and cleaners like RegCure and Registry Smart will provide you with the most comprehensive registry cleanup. These tools will repair and clean the windows registry virtually on autopilot. Make no mistake, windows registry clane up is vital to extend your computer's life.
Learn more about the top registry cleaners by reading our reviews. Please note that windows free registry repair tools are available, but they are not as up-to-date and efficient as the commercial registry cleaner programs on the market.
The Windows registry will fill up with registry errors over time. Each time you install or uninstall software, the registry is affected. Often the software will not uninstall properly and registry keys referencing files that no longer exist will build up in your Windows registry. When files like these accumulate, your computer may begin to exhibit the signs of a corrupted Windows registry.
In order to combat registry errors, you must periodically run registry cleaner software. Registry cleaners have been developed to clean all Windows systems including;
* Windows 95 Registry
* Windows 98 Registry
* Windows 2000 Registry
* Windows XP Registry
UPDATED.
please stick
Time for a new computer? No, you just have a case of TMC—too much..."stuff" on your hard drive, slowing it down.
There are several simple ways to kick your Windows XP*-based computer back into high gear. Here are eight ways to help speed up that hard drive. These take from a few minutes to a few hours, and in many cases your machine is already to set to perform these tasks at a mere command. Others require a little bit of work on your part. All of them will increase your PC's oomph factor and get you back on the fast track at work.
Requesting stycky please
Tip 1: Free up Disk Space
The biggest reason for computer sluggishness is loss of hard drive space, which gets eaten up by your regular work files—such as Microsoft Word* and PowerPoint* documents, photo and video images, or PDFs; your PC's operating system and various software programs; and a huge slew of temporary files, backups, spy ware and other junk that comes with everyday use of your machine. Regular use of the PC's disk cleanup function can rid your machine of this latter group of space-eaters. To use Disk Cleanup:
* Click Start, then point to All Programs » System Tools » Disk Cleanup. Or go directly to My Computer, right click on C: Drive (or whatever your main drive is named), select Properties and Disk Cleanup.
* The Disk Cleanup tool will take a few moments to calculate all the places where files can be removed and how much disk space will be saved. Check boxes for areas you wish to empty, then click OK (see Figure 1). NOTE: It is STRONGLY recommended that you not remove the Office Setup Files, which contain data for quick reinstallation of your programs if a repair, reinstallation or patch is needed.
* After a few minutes, the tool will finish and you may close the program.
Tip 2: Defragment the Hard Drive
Defragment the Hard Drive
Figure 2: The Disk Defragmenter recomposes files that may be spread all over your PC's hard drive.
Another easy-to-do but even easier to forget service. Over time, your files become fragmented and spread out over your hard drive, which means the PC must search the hard disk to piece them back together before they can be used again. This slows down the machine's response time. Windows has a Disk Defragmenter tool that should be used periodically (at least once a month) to keep things running smoothly. To use the Defragmenter tool:
* Close all open applications.
* Access the C: drive » Properties menu as you would under "Free up disk space," above.
* Select the Tools tab and the Defragment Now... button. If necessary, select a hard drive to test. The Defragmenter tool will begin to analyze whether the drive should be defragmented (see Figure 2).
* If the answer is yes, click Defragment. The process can take several hours, depending on the size of your hard drive and length of time since your last defragmentation. If you defrag more often, the process takes less time.
* When done, close the program and then reopen any applications you need.
* Disk defragmentation is also recommended if you are down to less than 15 percent of your total hard drive space; if you've recently added a large number of files; or after you've installed new programs such as Windows or Microsoft Office*.
Tip 3: Detect and Repair Disk Errors
Detect and Repair Disk Errors
Figure 3: Windows' disk error-checking tool can eliminate bad sectors of your hard drive and also find missing files.
The third part of our "D" list is the disk error-checking tool, which can eliminate bad sectors of your hard drive and also find missing files. This tool is accessed in the same manner as the Defragmenter and should typically be set at the same time you plan to defragment. Remember to close all open files before you start:
* From the Tools tab, select the Error-Checking function. If you have more than one hard drive, select the disk you wish to check.
* Check the disk options (usually both) and hit start (see Figure 3).
* If you checked the C: drive, you'll get a message stating that the command cannot be carried out until the machine restarts. Hit "yes."
* The next time the PC is started up, it will go into disk check and repair mode. This could take an hour or more, depending on your hard drive size.
Tip 4: Dump the Extras
You may have software on your machine that was installed with the operating system that you never use, other programs that once were important but are obsolete now, even different editions of the same program. Go into your Control Panel » Add or Remove Programs function, scroll the list for stuff you no longer need and get rid of it. You can also try third-party software removal programs to eliminate these space-wasters and also "scrub" your hard disk clean. Ditto for spy ware and adware removing programs.
Tip 5: Slim-down the Start-up Items
Windows launches certain programs every time you boot up the system, not all of which are needed. These programs jockey for a slice of your computer's CPU and can increase your startup time by several minutes. Typical no-needs on home PC systems include things related to AOL*, RealPlayer* and Napster*.
Tip 6: Drop the Fancy Stuff
Drop the Fancy Stuff
Figure 4: Windows XP* has numerous speed-eating but cosmetic extras, such as "Allow Indexing," that can be turned off to save CPU space.
Windows has numerous speed-killing special items that are helpful but can also be done without. These include:
* "Allow Indexing," which makes your computer spend tons of CPU speed arranging files to display in searches faster. To disable, go to My Computer, right-click your hard drive and click on Properties, uncheck Allow Indexing and hit ignore if a prompt comes up (see Figure 4). Click apply, then OK.
* Fancy Windows XP effects, which are cosmetic only. To get rid of these, go to My Computer » Properties » Advanced and click on the Settings button in the Performance box. Uncheck:
o Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
o Fade or slide menus into view
o Fade or slide ToolTips into view
o Fade out menu items after clicking
o Slide open combo boxes
o Slide taskbar buttons
* Click Apply, then OK.
Tip 7: Keep your drivers updated
Using the latest drivers for your hardware can give your PC a nice boost in perform. IT has a new program called Keep It Current which will automatically keep your machine current. (For more information on this program, see the Digital Edge story: Latest client build pushed to all Intel PCs every 10 weeks) For home PC's, check with your hardware vendors for the latest in sound cards, video cards, hard drives and networking equipment.
Tip 8: For home PCs, start over by reformatting your hard drive
A last-ditch, almost desperation effort here, but some computer experts do recommend this be done periodically—every one to two years—to completely remove all dead links, invisible backups, spy ware and other junk cluttering up the drive. You'll have to copy all of your data onto CDs, DVDs or external hard drives, unless you really don't want any of it anymore. Then you have two choices:
* Reformat only the C: drive, which reformats that drive only. If your machine has a partitioned drive—meaning part of it was turned into a secondary one during the last system install, and assigned a separate letter such as "D" for its name—the files on that drive will not be affected.
* Completely reformat all drives, which will wipe everything clean and returns your system to its factory-installed state.
To reformat, you'll need to use a bootable disk, which should have been created when the machine was first activated upon purchase. Or, you might have one or more installation CDs. In either case, install the first disk and restart the machine, then follow the various instructions. Or you can take the machine to a computer specialist and they will do it for you.
Be prepared to spend about at least a day's worth of time, as reformatting the drive takes an hour or so (depending on size), and then you'll have to reinstall (and re-register) any non-native programs or upgrades—and all your other data—that you added after you bought the computer. But when you're finished, your PC will literally be as good as new.
UPDATE.UPDATE.
What is the Windows Registry?
The Windows Registry is a giant database in the Windows operating system. The database stores all the information related to your hardware, preferences, and software applications.
When you first purchase your computer, the registry will be uncluttered and you'll notice that it runs at lightening fast speed. This is because your registry is smaller and has far few errors than an older computer. With less clutter, your computer can search through the registry database much faster. However, with use over time, the windows registry will fill. As it fills, unnecessary registry entries will clutter it.
Registry Cleaners
Remove Unwanted Programs and Clean Registry
When you install or uninstall software programs, drivers, or even create and delete files, your registry will start to grow. When you delete a software program, it is often not entirely deleted. Remnants of it are usually still installed on your computer. Leaving these remnants can cause problems later on down the road.
The more you use your computer, the more build up you're going to get in your registry.
Obviously, you need to use your computer, so there really is no way around this.
What you can do is fix the Windows registry errors. Please note that you should never start deleting registry errors on your own. Instead, you should invest in inexpensive Windows registry cleaner software and run it periodically.
Most of this registry cleaner software comes with a back up feature. That means you can back up the windows registry before the cleaner deletes anything. In the event something important is deleted, you will have a back up of your registry. Safely clean and repair your windows registry with registry cleaner software.
Repair and Clean Windows Registry
Windows registry cleaner software will scan and clean up your registry. Registry scanners and cleaners like RegCure and Registry Smart will provide you with the most comprehensive registry cleanup. These tools will repair and clean the windows registry virtually on autopilot. Make no mistake, windows registry clane up is vital to extend your computer's life.
Learn more about the top registry cleaners by reading our reviews. Please note that windows free registry repair tools are available, but they are not as up-to-date and efficient as the commercial registry cleaner programs on the market.
The Windows registry will fill up with registry errors over time. Each time you install or uninstall software, the registry is affected. Often the software will not uninstall properly and registry keys referencing files that no longer exist will build up in your Windows registry. When files like these accumulate, your computer may begin to exhibit the signs of a corrupted Windows registry.
In order to combat registry errors, you must periodically run registry cleaner software. Registry cleaners have been developed to clean all Windows systems including;
* Windows 95 Registry
* Windows 98 Registry
* Windows 2000 Registry
* Windows XP Registry
UPDATED.
please stick
